1947 Map of Vinson Wash

About this map

Artesian Wells and irrigation infrastructure define the landscape of Owyhee County during the mid-1940s. This survey, compiled from 1946 aerial photography and 1947 plane-table topography, focuses on the arid drainage systems and early water-management efforts in the Idaho desert. The presence of the Grand View Irrigation District Canal in the northeast corner highlights the transition from the dry, dissected terrain of McKeeth Wash and Vinson Wash toward more productive agricultural uses of the Snake River plain just beyond the map's edge. The expansive Twentymile Flat occupies the southeastern portion of the quadrangle, illustrating the open, unpopulated character of the high desert before modern development. Other natural water features include Birch Creek and Jensen Wash, providing a technical look at the seasonal hydrology and topography of this remote region.